Shelton Bank Robbery Suspect Surrenders After Armed Standoff With Police In Stratford: UPDATE

STRATFORD, CT — A suspect in recent bank robberies in Shelton and New Haven was taken into custody following a more than two-hour armed standoff with police inside a Stratford home on Thursday morning.

Authorities described it as a “very tense situation” that could have gone badly, according to the Connecticut Post. (To sign up for Stratford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

The Post reports Bryce Laister, 24, was taken into custody after negotiating with police in which he pointed his gun at police and then himself during the standoff before surrendering.

At about 6 a.m. on June 15, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Stratford Police and Shelton Detectives responded to a Pleasantview Avenue home in Stratford in an attempt to locate Laister for several outstanding arrest warrants, according to Shelton Det. Richard Bango.

Bango said in a news release that police received information that Laister was staying at that address for several months. Laister had four outstanding arrest warrants in Connecticut and three out-of-state warrants.

Laister was also developed as a suspect in two recent armed robberies at the Stop and Shop People’s Bank in Shelton and New Haven, according to Bango.

“Upon arrival the homeowner answered the door and confirmed Laister was staying at the home and was upstairs at the time,” Bango said in the news release. “Upon entering the room, Laister pulled out a hand gun which led to a standoff with officers. Approximately two hours later officers on scene were able to negotiate a peaceful surrender and Laister was taken into custody by Stratford Police.”

Laister was charged by the Stratford Police Department with first-degree threatening, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, having a pistol without a permit, interfering with police and breach of peace.

Laister was then turned over to Shelton officers after the booking process with Stratford Police.

Shelton Police charged Laister with the Shelton People’s Bank armed robbery that occurred on May 30.

Laister was charged with first-degree robbery, third-degree larceny, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal use of a firearm and second-degree breach of peace. Laister was held on a $500,000 bond and was given an arraignment date of June 16 at Derby Superior Court.

Photo via the Stratford Police Department